Leslie Benson, Graphic Designer, Lifestyle/Editorial Portraits (Color Edit) - Part 2 of 4 :: Bloomington/Normal, Illinois, Business Headshot Photographer

March 23, 2015 Michael Gowin

Leslie Benson, graphic designer, lifestyle/editorial portraits :: Michael Gowin Photography, Lincoln, IL

Quick quiz:

Leslie Benson is...

a) Having her pictures made in a very old building
b) A wife and mother of two small boys
c) An award-winning graphic designer
d) A moody banjo-playing singer-songwriter

The correct answers are a, b, and c.

Answer d is kinda true: Leslie is learning how to play banjo but she's not a moody singer-songwriter--yet.

Leslie Benson, graphic designer, lifestyle/editorial portraits :: Michael Gowin Photography, Lincoln, IL

A few days ago I posted Leslie's new business branding images on the blog; how in the world did we end up with these pictures as well?

First, Leslie gave me permission to experiment during her session.

She said she wanted pictures that weren't "salesy." I think these are pretty non-salesy. Unless maybe you're a moody singer-songwriter trying to sell your music.

Second, Leslie was willing to trust me.

As I mentioned in my post from Greta Torry's recent session, a good portrait comes from a partnership between the photographer and the subject. Leslie and I corresponded several times before her session, discussing the kinds of images she wanted and how we might create them. Since Leslie trusted my sense of vision, we were able to make some unconventional but remarkable editorial-style photographs for her.

Leslie Benson, graphic designer, lifestyle/editorial portraits :: Michael Gowin Photography, Lincoln, IL

These were a ton of fun to make and I'm grateful that Leslie was open to trying something that didn't fit the standard "business headshot" formula. At one point during the session, I wondered aloud how Leslie would use these pictures. She said she wasn't sure yet but at least her kids would see them and might think she was cool some day.

But these might find a place on her new website. Or she could use them when she's profiled in FastCompany or some other hip design-oriented publication.

I asked Leslie if she'd share some words about her experience--here's what she said:

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I've known Michael through a mutual client for the last five years, but this was my first experience working directly with him. I needed updated headshots for my business website and social media pages, and I knew Michael would do a great job.

Michael was able to schedule my session on the day I requested and even emailed me location scouting photos and sample photos of what he had in mind for my photo shoot. I gave him input on what he had sent and shared my ideas with him as well. It was truly a collaboration working together.

He made the entire experience very comfortable and enjoyable. I love the variety of images he captured and am excited to include them in my new marketing efforts.

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